The Banks County High School football team will open its region schedule at home this week when the 3-1 Leopards host Franklin County on Friday.

Banks County comes into the matchup riding the momentum of three consecutive wins, the most recent being a 24-8 home victory over North Cobb Christian. While confidence is logically high amongst the Leopards, head coach Biff Parson wants to make some corrections before heading into the Region 7-AAA tilt.

“(Last week) we had too many penalties that cut drives short where we had to punt,” said Parson.

The Leopard coaching staff plans to use this week’s practice to hone in on those mistakes and correct any sloppy play.

“Offensively, we have to eliminate turnovers and eliminate stupid penalties that back us up behind the sticks,” said Parson. “We have to keep drives alive and score some points. They are a dangerous football team. Our focus has to be a lot better and our discipline. If we are doing those two things the mistakes – penalties of holding, off sides, or whatever it may be. We really have to be dialed in this week at practice. The mentality has to be at a high level because this is a big game.”

While the Leopards are 3-1, they’ll need some wins over region opponents if they hope to make a run at the 2014 post season.

Franklin County comes into the matchup at 1-2, but Parson feels that record is deceiving. The Lions’ two losses came at the hands of Hart County and Stephens County – both of which were playoff teams last season. Franklin County got its first win over East Jackson last week; a team which the Leopards ousted 43-0.

“People may have a judgment off both scores, but Franklin is a good team,” said Parson. “Coach Underwood does a good job over there with his staff and players – putting them in the right position. They’ve got two players in the backfield like we haven’t seen yet. They’re jitterbugs. We are going to have to be dialed in defensively I know that.”

North Cobb Christian recap

Banks County jumped out to a fast start last Friday against the visiting North Cobb Christian Eagles.
After a long kick return by Malcolm Mitchell to open the game, Leopard quarterback Griffin Goodwin connected with Zezmon Steeple on a screen pass that went for a 50-plus-yard touch down.

Trevae Cain ran another score in on the Leopards’ next possession to put the score at 14-0. Banks County struggled through the rest of the first half, losing yardage to penalties and giving up a safety on an intentional grounding call in the end zone.

North Cobb Christian cut into the Leopards’ lead in the second quarter when a Banks County blown coverage gave way to a long touchdown pass by the Eagles.

The Leopard defense was stalwart in the second half, keeping the Eagles scoreless.

Cain rushed for another touchdown in the third quarter and Ramiro Cuadra added three points on a field goal to secure a 24-8 win for Banks County.

“We played well,” said Parson. “Defensively, it was more of a group effort. No one guy really stood out. It was really just spread out with guys playing assignment football."

Parson commended Cain and Steeple for an excellent showing on offense.

Cain had 147 yards rushing and two scores. Steeple picked up 108 yards through the air on six catches, one of which went for a touchdown.

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